What Makes A Hero?

An alternative term for epic fantasy is heroic fantasy and it’s certainly arguable that this particular type of fantasy turns on heroism. Most often, the stories centre on saving the world in one form or other and reader (and writer) discussions around the best type of stories not infrequently involve declarations of preference for good old-fashioned heroes, anti-heroes, or even outright villains as protagonist.

Outside of fiction, the term “hero” also seems to be bandied about quite freely and applied in circumstances where I question whether heroism, as opposed to good citizenship or simply doing a job one has signed up for, however well or with whatever level of integrity or dedication, makes one a hero.

So both as a member of society and a writer of epic, aka heroic, fantasy I frequently reflect on what actually makes a hero.

While not convinced that I have the definitive answer yet, I thought I’d share a few reflections today. Here are some of the qualities currently on my list:

1. There has to be a lot at stake.

The person involved has to be putting themselves on the line, potentially in terms of their life, but it could include their career (and by implication income), or acceptance in their community if espousing a view that goes against mainstream thinking (e.g “let justice be done, though the heavens fall.”)

The action/deed also has to matter, whether it is saving a life or lives at the risk of one’s own; standing up for what one knows to be right in terms of justice (e.g. whistle blowing); working for a good that is greater than one’s own personal situation or self-interest.

2. The Situation Has To be “Above and Beyond” the Norm

For example, a lifeguard rescuing someone in a swimming pool is undoubtedly a meritorious act. However, it’s not only their job, but in a swimming pool there is generally not a lot of stake, unlike a similar rescue in a flooded river or rip tide. Similarly for soldiers: service alone is not heroism; the awards for valour, such as the Victoria Cross, are given for acts above and beyond the normal call of duty, including seeing action.

A hero can be an exemplar…

3. A Hero Can Be An Exemplar But It’s Not a Prerequisite of Heroism

Heroes and paladins are closely related concepts, a paladin being a champion who also aspires to live a virtuous life. Perhaps because of this we often juxtapose our notions of heroism with ideas such as being role models or an exemplar of what our society values in terms of good or noble behaviour.

Often heroic acts result from decisions taken in an instant, so while aspiration may predispose individuals toward heroism, and exemplary behaviour subsequently adds to his/her heroic lustre, I don’t believe it’s a prerequisite for the accolade of “hero.” And heroic deeds are rendered no less so because the person who steps up is not a paragon in every aspect of their life.

There may be a continuum, however, because I remain unsure whether a person whose life has been given over to vice, violence, and/or crime can still be regarded as a hero despite one outstanding deed… A hero in the moment, perhaps, which is why the discussions over the relative merits of heroes or anti-heroes as protagonists in fiction continue. It may also be that some of the earlier considerations, such as someone putting themselves on the line beyond their own self-interest are what determines the answer in each circumstance.

Do Real Heroes Exist? Yes, I Believe They Do

Certainly, there is always plenty of room for reflection in terms of what makes a hero, whether in real life or in fiction. I’ve been thinking about this post for a while, but part of what sparked it now was a small article I read in The (Christchurch) Press just before Christmas, about how the last member of the US helicopter crew that stopped the My Lai massacre had died. Here’s the key excerpt:

“…Colburn was the last surviving member of a US Army helicopter crew that ended the Mai Lai massacre of March 16, 1968. Pilot Hugh Thompson landed the helicopter between unarmed villagers and American troops … and persuaded members of Charlie Company to stop shooting.”

More detailed coverage of the incident is included in the following articles and other places on line:

Were these men heroes? Yes, I believe they were by most if not all of the criteria above. Eventually they were recognised for it, but I think the outline of their story as set out in those articles illustrates Hugh Thompson’s own observation:

“Don’t do the right thing looking for a reward, because it might not come.” (AP, 2004)

"THE HEIR OF NIGHT by Helen Lowe is a richly told tale of strange magic, dark treachery and conflicting loyalties, set in a well realized world."--Robin Hobb

Thornspell

Jacket art by Antonio Javier Caparo

Thornspell is my first novel and is published by Knopf (Random House Children's Books, USA). It won the Sir Julius Vogel Award 2009 for Best Novel: Young Adult and was a Storylines Childrens' Literature Trust Notable Book 2009.